A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Colonia del Sacramento vs. La Paz for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Colonia del Sacramento or La Paz?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Colonia del Sacramento and La Paz can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Colonia del Sacramento or La Paz?

Colonia del Sacramento

Colonia del Sacramento is in the Rio de la Plata region of Uruguay. It is filled with old colonial buildings and cobbled streets, and is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Colonia del Sacramento was founded in 1680 by the Portuguese, sandwiched in between the Portuguese colony of Brazil and the Spanish Viceroyalty of the River Plate, later Argentina, Uruguay and Southern Brazil. Its strategic position and use as a smuggling port meant that its sovereignty was constantly contested and the city changed hands several times between Spain and Portugal. The irresistibly picturesque town's charm and its proximity to Buenos Aires draw thousands of Argentine and other visitors on weekends and in summer. Prices rise in these periods and it can be difficult to find a room so make sure to book your trip well in advance.

La Paz

La Paz, the administrative capital of Bolivia, has a breathtaking setting. The city is the highest national capital in the world, with an altitude ranging from about 4,058 m (13,313 ft) above sea level in El Alto, where the airport is located, to 3,100 m (10,170 ft) in the lower residential area. The dynamic and chaotic city was built in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River. La Paz is now a fusion of architectural styles, cultures and beliefs, welcoming everyday new boutique hotels, modern shops, delicious restaurants and reinventing standing establishments. However, generally speaking, Bolivia remains more a backpacker hit than a mainstream tourist destination.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Luxury Tours to Bolivia, and The Best Budget Tours to Bolivia.


Which place is cheaper, La Paz or Colonia del Sacramento?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Colonia del Sacramento is $68, while the average daily cost in La Paz is $44. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Colonia del Sacramento and La Paz in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Colonia del Sacramento $34
    La Paz $16
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Colonia del Sacramento $68
    La Paz $32
Compare Hotels in Colonia del Sacramento and La Paz

Looking for a hotel in Colonia del Sacramento or La Paz? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Colonia del Sacramento


Hotels in La Paz


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Colonia del Sacramento Hotel Prices and La Paz Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Colonia del Sacramento $17
    La Paz $9.45

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Colonia del Sacramento

Also for Colonia del Sacramento, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Colonia Port Terminal Private Transfer : $15
  • Colonia Bus Terminal Private Transfer : $15

Typical Local Transportation Prices in La Paz

Some typical examples of transportation costs in La Paz are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $0.58

Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Paz

Also for La Paz, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from La Paz City - La Paz Airport (LPB): $21
  • Transfer in Private Minivan from La Paz Airport (LPB) - La Paz City: $27
  • Roundtrip Transfer Private Vehicle La Paz Airport (LPB) - La Paz City: $43
  • Roundtrip Transfer Private Minivan La Paz Airport (LPB) - La Paz City: $55
  • Private transfer 24/7 El Alto Airport - Hotels La Paz: $28
  • Private Transfer from your Hotel to Airport in La Paz City : $54
  • Private Transfer from La Paz to Uyuni.: $295
  • Private Transfer from Airport to your Hotel in La Paz City : $77
  • Private Transfer from Airport to your Hotel in La Paz City : $54
  • Private Transfer La Paz Airport LPB to La Paz City by MiniVan/Bus: $28
  • Private Transfer From your Hotel to Bus Station in La Paz City : $68
  • Private Transfer From Hotel to Bus Station in La Paz City : $52

Is it cheaper to fly into Colonia del Sacramento or La Paz?

Prices for flights to both La Paz and Colonia del Sacramento change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Colonia del Sacramento $19
    La Paz $17

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Colonia del Sacramento

For Colonia del Sacramento, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Sensory Experience - Blind dinner in Colonia Del Sacramento: $95

Typical Food Prices in La Paz

For La Paz, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Fruit
    $0.72

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Paz

For La Paz, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • La Paz Food Tour + Cable Car Cultural City tour: $45

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Colonia del Sacramento $24
    La Paz $16

Tours and Activities in Colonia del Sacramento

For Colonia del Sacramento, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Almacén de la Capilla - Winery Experience at Carmelo: $215
  • Bus Ticket from Colonia del Sacramento to Carmelo: $27
  • City Tour Colonia del Sacramento - Uruguay: $90
  • Colonia del Sacramento City Tour : $58
  • Adventure Sightseeing Bike Tour: $53
  • Historical Walking Tour with Snack: $58
  • Colonia: Private City Tour on Foot (Historic District): $89
  • Experience an typical Uruguayan dish: Chivito & Tannat Wine: $78
  • From Best Private Wine Experience: $185
  • From Horse Ride Experience: $72
  • From Montevideo: Colonia Day Trip & Sightseeing: $150
  • Full Day Birdwatching and Nature Tour: $200

Tours and Activities in La Paz

For La Paz, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • From Private Tour to Tiwanaku Ruins and Puma Punku.: $173
  • La Paz, City Tour and Valley of the Moon - Half day: $268
  • 2-Day Private Lake Titicaca and Sun Island Tour from La Paz: $520
  • 2-day Private Guided Tour in Uyuni and La Paz: $240
  • 3 Day Death Road + Uyuni Salt Flats Tour From La Paz City: $280
  • Be a Local - La Paz Walking Tour: $8.00
  • Bicycle Tour on Death Road: $77
  • Bike Tour to the Death Road: $85
  • Cable Car, Cementery, Shaman and El Alto Adventure in La Paz: $20
  • Chacaltaya 5,435m & Valle De Luna. 2 For 1 Special Tour.: $30
  • City Tour plus Cable Car La Paz: $10
  • City Tour with Drone!: $204

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Colonia del Sacramento $5.85
    La Paz $11

Sample the Local Flavors in La Paz

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in La Paz:

  • Cultural Pub Crawl La Paz Nightlife Tour : $50


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Colonia del Sacramento and La Paz, we can see that Colonia del Sacramento is more expensive. And not only is La Paz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to La Paz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Paz and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Colonia del Sacramento would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Colonia del Sacramento than you might in La Paz.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Colonia del Sacramento Expensive? and Is La Paz Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Colonia del Sacramento or La Paz?

La Paz has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Colonia del Sacramento. When comparing the sizes of Colonia del Sacramento and La Paz, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.